◄ Psalm 128:1 ►
Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways!
Study Bible
A song of ascents.
This phrase indicates that Psalm 128 is part of the Songs of Ascents, a collection of Psalms (120-134) traditionally sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three major feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The ascent is both physical, as Jerusalem is situated on a hill, and spiritual, symbolizing drawing closer to God. The Songs of Ascents emphasize themes of worship, community, and reliance on God.

Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
The term "blessed" conveys a state of happiness and divine favor. In biblical terms, fearing the LORD involves reverence, awe, and obedience to God. This fear is not about terror but about respect and acknowledgment of God's authority and holiness. The concept of fearing the LORD is foundational in wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 1:7, which states that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. It implies a life aligned with God's will, resulting in blessings.

who walk in His ways!
Walking in God's ways refers to living according to His commandments and teachings. This phrase suggests a lifestyle of consistent obedience and faithfulness. The imagery of walking is common in Scripture, symbolizing one's journey and conduct in life. Deuteronomy 5:33 emphasizes walking in the ways God has commanded to ensure a prosperous life. This path is not only about moral conduct but also about a relationship with God, reflecting His character and purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises.

2. The Blessed (Individuals)
Those who fear the LORD and walk in His ways, experiencing the favor and joy that comes from living in alignment with God's will.
Teaching Points
The Fear of the LORD as Reverence
The Hebrew word for "fear" (yare) implies a deep respect and awe for God. This reverence is not about being afraid but about honoring God as sovereign and holy.

Walking in His Ways
To "walk" in God's ways means to live a life that reflects His character and commandments. It involves daily choices that align with His truth and righteousness.

Blessedness as a State of Being
The term "blessed" (ashrei) conveys a sense of happiness and fulfillment that comes from living in harmony with God's will. It is a holistic well-being that transcends circumstances.

Practical Obedience
Obedience to God's ways is not merely about external actions but involves a heart posture that seeks to please God in all things. This obedience is a response to His love and grace.

The Community of the Blessed
The psalm speaks to a collective experience of blessing for all who fear the LORD, suggesting that this way of life fosters a community marked by peace and prosperity.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean to "fear the LORD" in your daily life, and how can this reverence influence your decisions and actions?

2. How can you identify areas in your life where you need to align more closely with God's ways? What practical steps can you take to walk in His ways?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's blessing as a result of obedience. How did this impact your faith journey?

4. How do the concepts of blessedness in Psalm 128:1 and the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 relate to each other? What insights can you draw from this connection?

5. In what ways can you encourage others in your community to fear the LORD and walk in His ways, fostering a collective experience of God's blessing?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 9:10
This verse highlights the connection between the fear of the LORD and wisdom, emphasizing that reverence for God is foundational to understanding and living rightly.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13
These verses echo the call to fear the LORD and walk in His ways, outlining what God requires of His people as an expression of their covenant relationship.

Matthew 5:3-12
The Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount parallel the concept of blessedness, describing the characteristics and rewards of those who live according to God's kingdom values.
Sermons
Practical FearR. Tuck Psalm 128:1
A Sunny Picture of the Life Era Good ManC. Short Psalm 128:1-6
On ReligionT. Laurie, D. D.Psalm 128:1-6
Piety in its Principle, Development, and BlessednessDavid Thomas, D. D.Psalm 128:1-6
Relation of Gladness to Godly FearW. C. Piggott.Psalm 128:1-6
The Blessed Tendency of True PietyHomilistPsalm 128:1-6
The Labour Question and ChristianityW. M. Roger.Psalm 128:1-6
The Secret of the Happy HomeS. Conway Psalm 128:1-6
People
Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Ascents, Blessed, Degrees, Fear, Feareth, Fearing, Fears, Gt, Happiness, Happy, Lt, O, Song, Walk, Walketh, Walking, Walks, Worshipper
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 128:1

     5874   happiness
     8117   discipleship, benefits
     8335   reverence, and blessing

Psalm 128:

     7963   song

Psalm 128:1-2

     4438   eating
     8809   riches

Library
A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
From this Commandment we learn that after the excellent works of the first three Commandments there are no better works than to obey and serve all those who are set over us as superiors. For this reason also disobedience is a greater sin than murder, unchastity, theft and dishonesty, and all that these may include. For we can in no better way learn how to distinguish between greater and lesser sins than by noting the order of the Commandments of God, although there are distinctions also within the …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and Connivance, Between Fervour and Gentleness.
It should be known too that the vices of subjects ought sometimes to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at; that things, even though openly known, ought sometimes to be seasonably tolerated, but sometimes, though hidden, be closely investigated; that they ought sometimes to be gently reproved, but sometimes vehemently censured. For, indeed, some things, as we have said, ought to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at, so that, when the …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Epistle Xlvi. To Isacius, Bishop of Jerusalem .
To Isacius, Bishop of Jerusalem [159] . Gregory to Isacius, &c. In keeping with the truth of history, what means the fact that at the time of the flood the human race outside the ark dies, but within the ark is preserved unto life, but what we see plainly now, namely that all the unfaithful perish under the wave of their sin, while the unity of holy Church, like the compactness of the ark, keeps her faithful ones in faith and in charity? And this ark in truth is compacted of incorruptible timber, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Letter xxxiv. To Marcella.
In reply to a request from Marcella for information concerning two phrases in Ps. cxxvii. ("bread of sorrow," v. 2, and "children of the shaken off," A.V. "of the youth," v. 4). Jerome, after lamenting that Origen's notes on the psalm are no longer extant, gives the following explanations: The Hebrew phrase "bread of sorrow" is rendered by the LXX. "bread of idols"; by Aquila, "bread of troubles"; by Symmachus, "bread of misery." Theodotion follows the LXX. So does Origen's Fifth Version. The Sixth …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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